It's been way too long since I have put my thoughts in writing and since my last post I have had some races and also hit my 1000 day run streak. However, I have been so busy with the kids and work that I have not had the energy or time to devote to this blog. I really need to fix that and I will try to here on out.
Today I ran my 14th Half Marathon and it was the third time running this specific race. After looking at my previous times I was excited to see that going into the Honolulu Marathon this is the 2nd fastest time I have recorded on this course (ran it in 2:05 in 2012). This makes me super excited and makes me want to train smarter for the next 4 weeks.
2014 has been a pretty tough year for me running wise. Even though I was able to keep up the streak I was never really into my training and ran each race with the mere goal of finishing. My times have reflected that and for too many months and runs I just was going through the motions. I've been struggling with weight (I am blaming it on Menopause, I mean have you seen my FACE?!) and also with injuries (it's a sore heel, not PLANTAR). But I recently made the switch to Hoka One One Conquests and Cliftons and have been rolling my feet with golfballs and having the husband roll my calves every night and I am finally starting to feel a little more comfortable in my runs.
Two weeks ago I chatted with my buddy Reid who has given me tons of great advice for Marathoning and because of him I began adding speed work into my training. Back in 2012 everything was about speed but this year I gave up my Garmin a lot and ran to just make it instead of running to push it. I only added some intervals a couple of times a week but I could feel the change in my running immediately. I still haven't lost any weight but the runs just felt better and especially on my long runs everything seemed to be finally coming back together.
With that I went into today's race saying that I would run at Marathon pace of 10:30-10:45 since this was my last race before the Honolulu. I also told myself that I needed to start way faster than I did at last month's 30O race when we got stuck at 11 minute miles because we went out too slow and never hit our stride. So when the race started we took off at a 10:15 mile which felt like I was pushing the pace a bit too much (since I am old it takes almost 4 miles to warm up) but I decided to just go with it. Although the sun was not up it was still humid and I broke into my newly normal menopausal sweat. As I came up to Diamond Head I told myself to stay strong and continue to run on the edge. Being that I have run this route so many times it was pretty smooth sailing heading out to Hawaii Kai. I drank water and took a gel at the Gas Station and felt good as I got on to Kalanianole. At that point I could tell it was a fast race because walkers and racers were already heading back in. I passed that time looking for runners I knew heading back in and continued to run with "feel." At the turn around one of the friends I was running with, Alan, said that we were making good time and on pace for a 2:10 half but maybe we could break single digits. He said exactly what I was thinking and at that point I said, "What the hell, let's go for it!" I began running strong, took more water at the 1st Beach Park and added a gel so that I wouldn't feel any effects of low sugar or fatigue. It continued to be overcast and as I ran back I high fived and said hello to everyone I knew. In no time at all we were back at the gas station and I took some water there, reminded myself about home course advantage and vowed to finish strong.
Kahala Avenue has always been my nemesis because it is a super hot stretch but with the new homes popping up I somehow survived and found myself beginning the ascend to Diamond Head. At this point Mike and Alan pulled away and I was running solo. One more water and gel at Triangle Park so that I could finish strong and it was time to push it. I didn't run the hill as strong as I normally do and it was then that I made the mental note to 1) run more hills 2) do squats 3) work on core. I really hope I stick to that because it would really help my running!!! When I got to the top a quick glance at my Garmin told me that if I finished strong it would be my best Half of 2014. With my trusted Hokas on my feet I ran strong down the hill, pushed into the entrance of Kapiolani Park and told myself to stay focused. Unfortunately I wasn't sure what kind of kick I had left in me so I played that last half pretty conservatively. When I finally got to the Tennis Courts I hit 3/4 speed and went in strong. As I crossed the line I was crazy happy to see 2:08. I had not hit single digits or a 9:45 ish pace all year!!!
Today's run reminded me that I still have a lot of run in me and showed me that work does pay off. With 4 weeks left til the Honolulu I will begin my taper ( I actually ran 3 more strong miles after the race to bring today's LSD to 16 miles) and work on speed and strength. I am feeling good with where I am at and the excitement for the Honolulu is building.
:)
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